Gerald William Bunge, age 91, born May 9, 1933 in Lebanon, Ill., passed away January 20, 2025 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, O'Fallon, Ill., after a brief illness.

Jerry grew up in O'Fallon, where he worked as a pinsetter at the bowling alley as a teenager. He enlisted in the US Navy soon after high school and served aboard the USS Missouri.

He retired from McDonnell-Douglas after a long career where he worked as a machinist. Jerry enjoyed fishing and camping at Crab Orchard and Carlyle Lake. He was a member of Belleville Gun Club where he participated with a competitive shooting team and received many accolades for his expert marksmanship. Jerry spent many mornings at Hardee's shooting the breeze with his buddies, where he was described as a great and engaging storyteller. He was also a good neighbor.

He was preceded in death by his wife Helen, son Fred, and parents Fred and Violet, nee Mitchell, Bunge.

Surviving are his close friends Brad (Patricia) Carroll, Aaron Willman, and Cheri Warhoover.

Visitation: 10 – 11 am, Saturday, January 25, 2025 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O'Fallon, Ill.

Funeral: 11 am, Saturday, January 25, 2025 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will follow at College Hill Cemetery, Lebanon, Ill.